The Lollipop Road

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

At one time, Blue Lagoon Island, just off the coast of Nassau in the Bahamas was utilized by Dolphin Cruise Line as a private island stop. Fast forward two decades and much is unchanged since the time I first set foot on the beach there. Sure, there has been lots of cleanup and some noticeable improvements, but the beauty and quiet tranquility that has existed for decades is still there.

A twenty-minute ferry ride from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, Blue Lagoon Island is one of the best family excursions from Nassau. Forget the crowded beaches in and around Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island offers a sheltered shallow lagoon perfect for young kids to swim and play, kayak, snorkel and even laize on a float for hours.

This is an easy excursion to put together on your own – and certainly cheaper than buying it from your cruise line. The Blue Lagoon Beach Day is $45 for adults and $35 for children ages 4-12. Children 3 and under are free. The Beach Package includes the ferry ride to/from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, access to the beach (including chairs and hammocks), a BBQ lunch and use of floats and tubes at no charge. Of course, most people making the trip to Blue Lagoon Island are coming to participate in the dolphin or sea lion encounters, which is unfortunate, because most families never even have enough time to enjoy the best part of the island – its tranquil beach and lagoon.

We set out shortly after 9AM on what would turn out to be a sunny and humid day. After a $4pp taxi ride over to the ferry terminal (under 2 are free), we purchased our tickets for the Beach Day experience and queued up to get our bracelets and board the ferry. As a sidebar, getting a taxi in Nassau is pretty easy, but not for the timid. Wait until you get outside to choose a driver and if you can see the taxi beforehand, you’ll keep yourself from ending up in something unworthy of being on the road. If there are going to be several ships in Nassau, you will want to make a reservation in advance. Of course, the downfall is that this is a rain or shine excursion, which is why we waited until the day of departure to buy tickets.

The 20-minute ferry ride will take you past million-dollar homes and out into the open water to your private island. There is an 8:30AM and 10:30AM ferry. On this particular day, with two ships in port, we were able to take the 10:30AM ferry and score chairs in the shade with an umbrella, nearby hammock and picnic table. On busy days, these are likely gone before the 10:30 ferry arrives.

Once you stake out your spot, be sure to get tubes and floats (if you want them) and then you’re set to explore. There are outdoor showers and indoor restrooms with changing facilities located in the same building as the gift shop. If you’re going to rent any additional equipment, you’ll have to pay at the gift shop and collect your equipment at the activities hut. We decided to do a 30 minute clear bottom kayak rental. This two seater was very stable and perfect for me and my 4 year-old. They also offered paddle boats and large water bikes…very cool, but geared toward older kids who could help peddle.

It was pretty hot out, so we didn’t waste too much time getting into the water. The lagoon is pretty shallow for about a hundred feet out, then gets a bit deeper until you near the opposite shore where it is shallow again (with coral lining the floor). Obviously there is no current as this is a lagoon, so it is pretty safe for young kids. Both of our kids literally played for hours! We had a quick break for lunch and enjoyed burgers, hot dogs and chicken with chips, fresh fruit and fruit punch. I decided to use the hammock for a while and the kids joined me. It wasn’t long before our youngest was asleep in the hammock – what a life – he spent two hours napping while we my oldest son and I kayaked and played in the water.

Nobody wanted to leave, but the last ferry back at 4PM was fast approaching and we still hadn’t stopped to see the dolphins. After a quick change, we made our way over to the dolphin encounter area where we were able to see the sea lions, dolphins and a giant sea turtle. After a quick ferry ride back to Paradise Island and a short taxi ride to the pier, we were all exhausted from a fun packed day. Taxis are readily available at the ferry terminal, so no worry about having to wait.

Ferrys to the island are at 8:30, 10:30, 12:30 and 1:30. Ferrys from the island are at 1:00, 2:00 and 4:00. If you want to have time to spend on the beach and participate in one of the encounters, leave no later than 10:30AM and expect to return at 4:00PM. There are several encounters available from observer to participant. No matter your reason for going, Blue Lagoon Island is the best family excursion from Nassau.

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

If you enjoyed these photos and would like to see more, visit Photo Friday at Deliciousbaby.

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